Four out of 10 companies used group exercises last year, a rise of 14 per
cent on the previous year, and the proportion of firms asking candidates to
give presentations jumped 12 per cent to 37 per cent over the same period.

Carl Gilleard, chief executive of the Association of Graduate Recruiters,
said the study shows HR is under increasing pressure to select the right
candidates in a difficult economic climate.

"Graduate recruiters recognise the cost of recruitment and want to be
certain the people they select have the capacity to be successful," said
Gilleard.

"This is driven by a need to select people with the skills to make a
contribution to business success quickly."